Belser's archive

Here is another dig into old vernacular photography: I started developing the unusually large (about 40 rolls) archive of film found on eBay few month back. The archive starts in late 40s, about 15 rolls are from 50s, and the rest is from 60s and few are from early 70s. The last 35mm Ektachrome 400 roll looks relatively modern. Many of the rolls are in the original boxes/wrapping paper; nevertheless,  all but 2 are exposed and none had been developed.

There is a letter; I received it with the archive. The letter is addressed to Mike Belser. It is a touching birthday writing from his dad Jack. Jack is sending new boots to his son and he is worried about the size, asking Mike to send it back for the exchange if the size is wrong. He is also mentioning the names: Patty and Brian. These two could be Mike's wife and son. The letter has a date: 12-17-57. It was in an envelope, addressed from J.Belser, Oklahoma City (General Delivery, Main P.O.) to Newkirk, OK, also General Delivery. The letter clearly was sent, received and opened by Mike. Also one of the rolls I developed today has a hand-written note with a date and Mike's name. So I assume at least part of the archive at one point was Mike Belser's.

Here are my findings so far...

The roll #1 in the archive was a complete disaster. This very old, nitrate-based Agfa Plenachrome of 127 format disintegrated into small pieces when attempted to load it into developing reels. I managed to save just one frame:



There are 2 more rolls just like that one; I put them aside. The development per se is not a problem, but at the moment I don't know how to load and dry them. The rest from 40s and 50s is 127 and 620 Kodak Verichrome and Verichrome Pan, acetate-based. So far I developed 5; they all fully exposed and all the frames are ok to scan or even print.

I will be announcing in this blog the new findings; bring your popcorn, sit back and relax:)

Here are four frames from roll # 2:


Roll#2 Frame#1


Roll#2 Frame#5


Roll#2 Frame#7


Roll#2 Frame#10

See the full 12-frames in a slideshow

To be continued...